Tackling Climate Change Through Climate-Smart Maize Research in Ghana
By Emmanuel Appiah
Ph.D. Candidate, Crop Science (Agronomy/Crop Physiology)
Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED)
📧 appiahemmanuel01@gmail.com |
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Understanding the Urgency
Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges of our time. It is driven largely by greenhouse gas emissions from human activities such as fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and unsustainable agricultural practices. The consequences—rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, declining soil fertility, and extreme weather events—pose serious threats to food security, ecosystem health, and rural livelihoods, especially in vulnerable regions like sub-Saharan Africa.
Agricultural Emissions and the Maize Sector
In Ghana, agriculture remains highly sensitive to climate variability. Among the contributing factors to agricultural emissions is the common practice of burning crop residues, which releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) into the atmosphere. This not only worsens air pollution and global warming but also depletes soil organic matter, reducing soil fertility and increasing the risk of erosion.
Our Research Response with ACE4ES
In response to these challenges, our collaborative study with Agroecology and Circular Economy for Ecosystem Services (ACE4ES) focuses on evaluating the adaptability, yield stability, and emission potentials of eight maize genotypes—Obatanpa, Omankwa, Abontem, Honampa, Opeaburo, Ahoofe, Kunjor Wari, and Nkwagye—across two key agro-ecological zones in Ghana.
The aim is to identify climate-resilient maize varieties that perform well under diverse conditions while contributing to low-emission, sustainable farming systems.
Our Goals
By discouraging the burning of crop residues and encouraging nature-based solutions such as residue recycling and soil restoration practices, the project seeks to:
- ✅ Reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions
- ✅ Improve air quality by limiting PM 2.5 pollution
- ✅ Enhance soil health and long-term productivity
- ✅ Strengthen the resilience of maize-based farming systems
Climate-Smart Agriculture in Action
This research forms part of a broader effort to implement Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) strategies that integrate three key pillars:
- Productivity: Sustainably increasing agricultural output.
- Adaptation: Enhancing resilience to climate shocks and variability.
- Mitigation: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving carbon capture.
A Call to Collaborate
We invite partners, practitioners, and stakeholders to share experiences, innovations, and insights that promote climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable farming systems.
Together, we can build a more sustainable agricultural future and safeguard our climate and soils for generations to come.
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